Hello

Good day to all!

I hope you've had a wonderful weekend, filled with all kinds of good stuff.  I had great intentions of hanging out at the pool, but that didn't happen.  Instead, I've been dealing with a work issue, since about 6:30 this morning.  No worries though.  Things always wind up working out.  And, I got the chance to make this card. :)

I absolutely adore the way this background turned out!  There's just something about a rainbow that makes me smile, every time I see one.  This is no exception.  I mentioned that I wanted to use my stencils more often, so last night I got them all inky.  I should have more for you to see over the next few days, using stencils, hopefully.  I'm excited to have another card for my stash, and I was excited to be able to participate in the following challenges.

Cardabilities #126:  Sketch
Alphabet Challenge:  K is for Kind Thoughts
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #13:  Anything Goes
We Love 2 Create #14:  Anything Goes

That's all for me.  I'm off to start dinner, and then maybe watch a movie with my daughter.  I hope you have a wonderful afternoon!

Stay crafty my friends!

What's In It?
Paper: Neenah Solar White Cardstock, PTI Kraft Cardstock, American Crafts DIY Shop Patterned Paper, DCWV Glitzy Glitter Paper, Vellum
Stamps: Simon Says Stamp Stripe Greetings
Ink: VersaMark, Mister Huey's Opaque White, Distress Inks: Abandoned Coral, Fossilized Amber, Twisted Citron & Mermaid Lagoon
Accessories: White Paper Flowers, Maya Road Natural Twine, SSS Stitched Rectangles Dies, Reverse Confetti Circles & Scallops Dies, MFT Stitched Fishtail Flags & Layered Heart Border Dies

Word Art Wednesday #169 - 1 Corinthians 16:14

Hi ya'll!

I'm SO excited to have you visit me today!  I know that I've been talking about something very exciting for me, that starts this month, and I'm happy that I can finally share.  This month I am the guest designer over on the Word Art Wednesday blog.  I am so thrilled to be joining these amazing women for the month of February!  I've loved their weekly challenges, and have made it a goal to join them more often this year.  I think this is a fantastic way to start!  I'd like to send a huge Thank You to Karen, for allowing me to be a part of these challenges.

As always, these challenges are Anything Goes, with the option to use their word art files.  This weeks sponsors are:  Verses Rubber Stamps ($20 in product), My Craft Spot (free stamp set), Imagine That Digital Sponsor (3 images of choice). 

The verse chosen for this week is 1 Corinthians 16:14.  I love this verse, as it's very near to my heart.  I try to do as He would, by giving and helping others.  I'm kind, and caring, and I give unconditionally.  Not just to people I know, but to everyone.  I want to lead by example, so that my daughter will also live her life in this manner.  I feel as if doing for others is becoming less and less popular, unfortunately.  I'm hoping that as long as she and I can continue to show kindness to others, I will have accomplished one of my goals, and other people's lives will have been touched.


Here is what I created for this weeks challenge.

I really liked THIS sketch from Cardabilities, and wanted to use it, even though it's from weeks ago.  I seldom use circles on my cards, and I rarely use orange, so I wanted to challenge myself use both.  I love the contrast of the light blue against the bold orange background paper.  I also love those delicate Memory Box dies.  They're beautiful.  I think I have just about every die they make on my wish list these days. lol   

I do hope you'll head over to the Word Art Wednesday blog, and see what everyone else has created for you today.  I can't wait to see what you create! 

Blessings!

What's In It?
Paper: Neenah Solar White Carstock, SU! Whisper White Cardstock, Papertrey Ink Kraft Cardstock, Bazzill Peach Textured Cardstock, Orange Polka Dot Patterned Paper (old paper from my stash), Light Blue Graph Patterned Paper (also from my stash)
Stamps: 1 Corinthians 16:14 Word Art File
Ink: Mister Huey's Opaque White, Sakura Clear Stardust Pen
Accessories: Simon Says Stamp Stitched Circles & Stitched Rectangles Dies, Memory Box Whimsy Circle & Lorelai Leaf Outline Dies, Avery Elle Dotted Banner Die, Martha Stewart Small Butterfly Punch, Freckled Fawn Aqua Glitter Dew Drops

Thanks For Being Awesome!

Hi y'all!

It's a gloomy, foggy, rainy Thursday here and I've got one of the worst sinus infections I think I've ever had.  I'm working from home today, but did get time to snap a quick pick of a card I made last night.  Here is what I created.

My friend Rochelle and I had been talking about all of the crafty stuff we own, but weren't using.  So, we decided we were going to challenge ourselves to make something last night, no matter what (operation #getchacrafton).  I have to say that even though this is simple, I love how it turned out.  I can't remember the last time I wet embossed anything, or if I've ever embossed on black cardstock. lol  I really think it looks pretty cool, as the white pops against the black.  I hope to try this again.  I will be entering this into the following challenges.

Cardabilities #109: Sketch (my loose interpretation)
Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge: Burlap Banner
Simon's Wednesday Challenge: Use Kraft

I'm off to do some more work, and hopefully rest a bit.  I hope everyone is having a great week, so far, and will get lots of crafty time to make stuff this weekend.

Hugs!

What's In It?
Paper: Papertrey Inc Kraft Cardstock, SU Basic Black Cardstock, MME Cut & Paste Flair Patterned Paper, MME Lost & Found Heirloom Patterned Paper
Stamps: Verve "Being Awesome"
Ink: Avery Elle Pure White Pigment Ink
Accessories:  SU White Embossing Powder, Simon Says Stamp String of Hearts Die, Freckled Fawn Blue Glitter Enamel Dew Drops

Winter Wishes

Greetings!

It's kind of gray and overcast this morning, so I plan on doing very little today, with the exception of spending time with my daughter.  School starts on Tuesday, so we're trying to get one more day of fun laziness and movies in, before she goes.  I can't believe how rapid this year is going by.  It seems like just yesterday we were celebrating the New Year.  Wow...

Anyway, I have another card to share today.

I love these snowflakes!  Even though you can't tell in the picture, the snowflakes are very sparkly.  Thank goodness for glitter glue.  I think I'm the only papercrafter out there who does NOT like glitter.  I don't own any, except for a bottle of Dazzling Details from Stampin Up. lol

I'm excited to combine the following challenges.

Christmas Cards All Year Round August: Sparkle & Shine
Cardabilities #105: Sketch
Jingle Belles: Hanukkah Song (a winter or winter holiday card other than Christmas)
Just Us Girls #254: Blue, Green & Any Neutrals
Christmas Card Challenge #38: Embossing (the polka dots are embossed in clear)

That's all for me.  I'm off to cook a few meals for the week, and wait for her to wake up so we can start our movie marathon.  I hope everyone has a great day!

Hugs!

What's In It:
Paper: Papertrey Ink Kraft cardstock, SU Very Vanilla cardstock, Blue & White Snowflake patterned paper, Green Polka Dota patterned paper
Stamps: Verve Glad Tidings, CASual Fridays Snowflake Greetings & Out Loud, Papertrey Ink Polka Dot Basics 2
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black dye ink, VersaMark, Frayed Burlap distress ink, WPlus9 Ocean Drive dye ink
Accessories: Simon Says Stamp Kate & Eliza Snowflake dies, Studio Calica Green Gems, SU Dazzling Details

Two For One

Hello!

How's your day going?  I'm enjoying a bit of a break from the chaos that is 4 teenage girls sleeping over, while they're at the pool.  I can only imagine that they're going to come back sunburned and/or "crispy" from being there most of the afternoon. lol  In the nice, quiet, alone time I have had, I created two cards.  I usually only post one at a time, but I wanted to share both of these right now.  I was a bit impatient in sharing these. :-)

Here is the first.

A few weeks ago I saw a card posted using a crochet mat.  I did some investigating, and found that Jessi Fogan, makes AND sells them.  I was super excited to place my order, and was even more excited when they arrived so quickly at my house the other day (she's awesome!).  I've asked her to try to find some neon thread.  Wouldn't they be awesome?!  It had been a while since I'd created anything but a square card, so I went with round for this one.  My peach/white flourish panel is actually the emboss resist technique, which I really should do more often.  I matted it in a pale yellow, and added it to my sage green crochet mat.  I then added a wood veneer banner that came in one of my Simon Says Stamp card kits, a twine bow, a hand crocheted flower I ordered on Etsy, and a few sequins.  In all, I think this card took me 20 minutes to complete, and I love it!

I've combined the following challenges in this card:

Stampin Royalty #189 - Photo Inspiration (hope I got close enough to the colors)
Drunken Stampers #137 - Twine (Hi Jessi!!)
Totally Gorjuss #197 - Die Cuts/Punches (my shaped card was made with dies)

And, here is the second card. 

If you know me, you know I LOVE blue.  I reminded myself about the need to continue my use of the emboss resist technique, and wound up with this beauty.  I made two identical panels, only one is embossed with snowflakes and has Mr. Huey's mist on it.  For a bit of added interest, I matted them in opposite directions.  The bottom layer starts with the darker colors at the top, and the focal panel starts with the lighter colors at the top.  I have to say, this turned out much better than I expected.  I added an MFT snowflake, a beautiful I Am Roses paper flower, and some cork paper leaves on top of my ribbon and sentiment, and was finished.  I think the emboss resist technique will be used again this afternoon, for some gift tags.  Or maybe a couple of bookmarks.  Ooooh, yeah...that would work!

I've combined the following challenges in this card:

Cards Galore August Challenge - Bingo (embossing/masks, sprays/inks, ribbon)
Cardabilities #81 - Sketch
Jingle Belles - Tic Tac Toe (embossing heat or dry, ribbon, stamping)
Just Add Ink #178 - Just Add Snowflakes
Just Us Girls #202 - Monochromatic Blues

Now that my long post is done, I've got a question to ask you awesome crafty people!  I recently started thinking that I might want to try my hand at getting published.  I've added it to my bucket list, but am in no hurry.  What advice would you give someone who's never tried this?  Any tips or hints at anything to help me out would be greatly appreciated. 

I'm off to try to create something else to share later in the week.  I'll be back on Monday with my next House of Cards project.  Hopefully, you'll get the chance to stop by and check out what I've made for that.  I do hope the rest of your weekend is fantastic!

Stay crafty my friends!

Thanks!

Hi y'all!

Happy Friday to everyone!!  I'm so thankful that today starts my weekend of relaxation. *happy sigh*  My daughter is headed to Minnesota, for vacation with her best friend, and won't be back until next Sunday.  I have no doubt that she'll have a blast, but I'm going to miss her.  I can't wait to hear all about it when she gets back though.

Anyway, I've been playing with my new Lawn Fawn goodies again, and made this card.

So, I'm not the best with Copics, but I did try to add a bit of shading.  These fun hot air balloons went perfectly with this cloud paper I've had in my stash for ages.  I also used the chevron stamps to create the banners, for some added interest.  I have no doubt that these stamps will be used again.  I am hopeful that the Lawn Cuts Blue Skies dies will be back in stock soon.  I really want to use them with this set.  This card will go into the card box for future use.  I'm slowly building up my stash of cards again, thankfully.

I've combined the following challenges in my card today:

Cardabilities #77 - Sketch
DRS Designs #76 - The Letter B (I have banners and balloons)
Charisma Cardz #25 - 3, 2, 1 Challenge (I used 3 banners, 2 balloons and 1sentiment stamp, hope this qualifies)
MilkCoffee Challenge - Summer Fun (I attended many, many hot air balloon races and events during the summer, while living in Colorado, hope this is ok)

That's all for me today.  I'm off to work in a few, and am glad it's Friday.  I hope everyone has a great day!

Hugs!

Thanks A Bunch

Hiya peeps!

It's Thursday, which means only one more day until the weekend.  The weekend could not arrive soon enough for me this week. lol  I'm going crazy with everything.  Thank goodness we're taking a small road trip to get away this weekend.  My daughter has done nothing but talk to the two friends who are going with us to the College World Series about how much fun she thinks we're going to have.  They all play softball, so it should be quite an enjoyable evening for everyone. 

Here's the next card I'd like to share with you.

I was trying to add texture, and I think I achieved my goal.  I've had this burlap stuff for a while, but never really knew what to do with it.  I am also quite smitten with the stamped wood veneer hearts in the top corner.  I got the idea from my friend Rochelle, and am now hooked.  I am sure I will be using this idea quite a bit now.

I've combined the following challenges in my card today:

Cardabilities #76 - Sketch
In The Pink Challenge #21 - Anything Goes
Brown Sugar Challenge #45 - Fabric or Felt (I hope my burlap qualifies)
Dynamic Duos #56 -Blushing Bride & Soft Suede

That's all for me this week.  I am hoping to create more stuff soon, but not sure when that will actually happen. lol  I guess that's just how it goes sometimes, right? :o)

Hope y'all have a great weekend!
Hugs!

Cardabilities Sketch Challenge #49

Hi again! 
This is my second post for the day.  For my Creative Belli challenge post, please scroll down. 

I'm excited to announce that the next sketch at Cardibilities has been posted, and it's fabulous!  I'm sure by now you've come to realize how awesome I think Karan's sketches are. lol  For all of the details, click HERE.

I decided to go with a round card today.  It's been a while since I've made a shaped card, and this sketch was great for interpretation.  I'm loving the Nestabilities and the yellow rose I've had in my stash.  Of course, the embossing adds another layer of texture, and the colors are fabulous together.  I love this card! 

I've also combined the following challenges into my card.

PDCC #118 - Color Combo (blue & yellow)
Crafty Purple Frog Challenge - Flower Power
Craft Us Crazy #20 - Anything Goes
Phindy's Friday Challenge #92 - Round & Round
The Stamp Man Challenge - Texture
Sweet Stampin' Challenge - CAS

I do hope you'll head over to the Cardabilities blog to see the other gorgeous cards that have been posted.  They're amazing, as usual.

Stay crafty my friends!

Cardabilities Sketch Challenge #48

Hi everyone!

It's Monday, and the start of another crazy week for me.  Fortunately, I'm taking tomorrow off to get some stuff done, and in doing so, it will break up the week for me.  I SO wish I could take more time off during the week.  It would be awesome!  Anyway, I know you're here for the crafty stuff, so I'll get right to it.

Sketch #48 at Cardabilities is up and ready for you to feast your eyes on.  I'll tell you now, it's a beauty!  For all of the details, and to see the sketch, click HERE.

Aside from my Christmas cards every week, I seldom make cards with anyone specific in mind anymore.  I try to make cards to keep in my stash for future use these days.  This card was made with a purpose, though, and for a cause that is near and dear to my heart.  One of my co-workers just returned to work after winning her battle with breast cancer.  She's absolutely amazing, and I am honored to be in her presence everyday.  I've had other friends lose this battle, and it's heartbreaking to see such beautiful people taken away, at such young ages.  I'm not usually an emotional kind of girl, but this card was very difficult for me to put together.  I guess sometimes it just happens.  I do hope she loves it as much as I do.  I had an idea in my head, and this turned out better than expected.

Please head over to see what the other fabulous designers have put together for you today.  They'll blow you away, no doubt!

Don't forget to tell the ones you love how you feel about them!

Much love,

Cardabilities Sketch Challenge #47

Hello!

This is my second post of the day.  For my CCC post, please scroll down. 

I'm super excited to bring you my first card for Cardabilities.  The sketches Karan has created for us over the next three months are absolutely gorgeous.  To see the sketch we used for this challenge, click HERE.  It's beautiful, and leaves tons of room for interpretation.  Here is what I came  up with.

Of course, now that Spring is on its way, I had to start using my butterflies again.  Don't be surprised if most of my cards over the next couple months all have butterflies on them. lol  I left my card without a sentiment so that I could use it as a "last minute" type card for someone.  I've got plenty of other cards in my stash now, so I figured one without a sentiment wouldn't hurt. lol 

My fellow Cardabilities designers are absolutely amazing!  I'm so blessed to be a part of such a wonderful group of women.  You must check out their cards, posted on the blog today. 

Back soon with another crafty project for ya!
Hugs!

Heartfelt Thanks

Yay for Humpday!

As mentioned before, I love Wednesdays.  Not more than Friday or Saturday, but it is the turning point in my week, and means I only have to go back for two more days that week, instead of four more. lol 

I've got another card to share today.  One that I think is adorable.

I love this stamp, but this is the first time I've used it.  I actually have quite a few stamps that I own, but have never seen ink.  I am thinking I need to change that and start using them.  I've also decided to pull out a few items I've purchased, but haven't used yet either, and combine them into my cards from now on.  I've got tons of stuff that I just absolutely HAD to have, that I have yet to use.  Damn impulsive buying, I tell ya! lol  I've combined the following challenges into my card, although a couple may already be closed. 

Embellish Magazine Color Trends Challenge 9/2 - Blue, kraft, brown, and red, include stripes
Speedy The Cat's Friends Challenge #72 - Use a punch (the brown heart with the butterfly is a punch)
Stamp, Scrap & Doodle 9/10 - Thank You
Delightful Challenges 9/7 - Bling It
Cardabilities #38 - Sketch

Anyway, I'm off to work again.  I hope you'll stop by tomorrow for the next FYI challenge.  Don't forget, you can still play along with the first challenge of the month HERE.

Hugs!